While often being paired with Jon Vickers, conductor and music director Rudolf Kempe was a powerful influence and nurtured her career. It was with Kempe that she had her first successes in the 1958/1959 season as “Sophie” in Luchino Visconti’s production of Der Rosenkavalier , and then as “Micaela” in Carmen.

Carlyle sang many major roles at the Royal Opera House. They included her "Nedda" in Pagliacci which brought her international acclaim in Franco Zeffirelli's controversial production during the 1959/1960 season.